Changes in lifestyle following a divorce are inevitable for the parents and their children. For a start, the matrimonial property has to be transferred to one of the parties or, in most cases, the property has to be sold and the proceeds divided between the parties. The inevitable result follows: one or both of them have to look for alternative accommodation - to buy or to rent. Moving to a place farther from the children's school will mean that the children may have to be transferred to a school nearer home, which in turn means that they will miss their former schoolmates and former playmates. All these changes may trigger off feelings of guilt, sadness, anxiety and frustration in the couples and their children.

Whatever the after-divorce situation is, the estranged couple must not abandon their responsibilities and must maintain their self-respect. Let their unhappy experience be a life's bitter lesson that is best buried in the recesses of their minds. Look to the future and start afresh.

If they have children, their responsibility to the children will not cease until the children reach adulthood. Their handling of their divorce affair will have a bearing on the children's ability to cope with their parents' changed status.

Studies have shown that children who continue to receive proper attention from both parents after the parents' divorce have an equal chance of growing up to become self-confident, independent and highly motivated adults.

In any case, couples who continue to face difficulty in coming to terms with their divorce and need support and assistance may refer to the helping agencies for information on self-help organisations that provide counselling services.